Friction hinge for headlights



July '1, 1930.

H. J. GRAHAM FRICTION. HINGE FOB HEADLIGHTS Fil ed Sept. 7, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet l m Hill] I INVENTbR: Hrberl J fi-rafiazmi A TTORNEYS.

H. J. GRAHAM 1,763,758

FRICTION HINGE FOR HEADLIGHTS Filed Sept. '7, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet M Z5 26 iF'ICi H- 7 z :fillll/l/(ly 'INVENTOR:

Harm ram Patented July 1, 1938 HERBERT J. GRAHAM, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRIC SERVICE SUPPLIES COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIAfA CORPORA- I 'rIoN or PENNSYLVANIA FRICTION HINGE Application filed September This invention relates to friction hinges more particularly for headlights such as used on locomotives, railway cars, etc.

Incidental to travel, headlights of the kind mentioned are subjected to constant jarring and vibration, which, in being communicated to their glazed closure doors, often results in fracture or breakage of the glass. This is especially true when looseness develops in the hinge connections, or when the doors are inadvertently left unlatched after inspection or cleaning of the headlights.

The present invention is directed toward preventing the above contingency through provision of friction hinge means capable not only of preventing rattle of the doors when in closed position, but also of preventing slamming in the event of their being left unlatched, thereby at all times affording the glass protection against the possibility of breakage from vibration or jarring.

In the drawings, Fig. I is a front view of a locomotive headlight having a number of side doors equipped with hinges embodying my invention.

Fig. II is a planview of the headlight.

Fig. III is a section taken locally as indicated by the arrows III'III in Fig. II.

Fig. IV is a section taken as indicated by the arrows IVIV in Fig. III; and,

Fig. V is a perspective View of one of the elements associated with'the friction hinge.

The headlight herein illustrated is of a conventional type with a cylindric body or casing 10, a lens door 11 at the front, and lateral box extensions 12 opening into opposite sides of said body or casing. These box extensions 12 are closed by glazed numher-bearing doors 13, which, in the present instance, are disposed at complementary angles so that the numbers can be seen either from the front or from either side of the headlight. "The doors 13 are hinged at the top so as to swing upward, and are normally held closed by spring latches 15 engaging their lower edges. As shown in Figs. III and IV the frames 16 of the doors 13 are angular in cross section and close against sealing gaskets 17 recessed in flanges 18 internally of the box projections 12. In each non HEADLIGHTS 7, 1927. Serial No. 217,890.

instance, the glasspanes 19, 20 between For convenience of exemplification I have shown the friction hinge means of my invention in association withthe number-bearing doors 13, and by reference again to Figs-III and IV it will be observed that the same comprises a pair of spacedfixed ears 26 in the present instance integrally formed at the top edge of the box extension'12, and a pair of movable ears 27 which are integrally formed at the corresponding edge of the door frame 16 andspaced to fit between said fixed ears. The several ears 26, 27 are apertured for. connection by a common hinge pintle 28. In order to impose frictional restraint against free movement of the door 13 about the hinge axis I mount onthe bridging portion of the pintle 28, a pair of pierced friction members 29 capable of being readily die-stamped to'the configuration shown in Fig. V from sheet metal with angular shoulders 30 to engage over the outer edgeof the casing extension 12 after the manner illustrated in Fig III. The friction members 29 are-thus held against rotation, but are nevertheless free to slide on the pintle 28. A helical compression spring 31 surrounding the central portion of the pintle 28 serves to hold the friction members 29 in pressure contact with the contiguous faces of the movable ears 27 In practice, the inherent power of the spring 31 is made suchthat the friction imposed is ample to hold the door 13 against free movement, whereby said door is normally prevented from rattling when closed, notwithstanding looseness in the hinge connection; and likewise against slamming in case it is inadvertently left open. The spring 31 is encased in a sheathing tube 32 for protection against Water and dust.

Although I have shown and described my invention in connection with headlights, it is not to be construed as specifically limited to such use since it is obviously adaptable in other instances where yielding resistivity to 5 hinge movement is essential or necessary.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: i

1. In a hinge for glazed doors to protect openings, friction means to hold the same against rattling and slammin said means comprising a pair of spaced fixed ears adjacent the door opening, a pair of movable ears on the door fitting into the interval between the fixed ears, friction plates with angular shoulders to prevent rotation engaging contiguous faces of the movable ears with capacity to slide on the hinge axis, and an interposed spring in compression between said friction plates.

30 '2. In a hinge for glazed doors protecting openings, friction means to hold the same against rattling and slamming, said means comprising a pair of spaced fixed ears adjacentthe door 0 ning, a pair of movable ears on the door tting into the interval between the fixed ears, a connecting pintle, friction plates slidable on the pintle, said lates having notches to engage the door a ame and to be thereby held against rotation, and an interposed spring in compression between said friction plates.

3. In ahinge for glazed doors protecting openings, friction means to hold the same against rattling and slamming, each such hinge means comprising a pair of spaced fixed ears adjacent the door 0 ening, a pair of movable ears on the door tting into the interval between the fixed ears, a connecting pintie, friction plates slidable on the pintle,

4o said'plates with angular shoulders to engage the door frame and to be thereby held against rotation, a helical compression spring surrounding the central portion of the hinge pintle and abutting at opposite ends against said friction plates, and a protective sheathing tube enclosing the spring.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadel )hia, Pennsylvania, this 1st day of Septem er, 1927.

HERBERT J. GRAHAM. 

